Beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is fluid mixing apparatus employing a metering chamber divided by a flexible diaphragm. Two fluids are simultaneously injected into a mixing nozzle. The ratio of fluids is controlled by a feedback line which translates pressure from the first fluid outlet to the second fluid and thereby maintains a relatively constant ratio between the head pressures on the two fluids.

This invention relates to a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus. Moreparticularly it relates to a fluid feed-back controlled apparatus forinjecting metered amounts of one fluid into a stream of another fluid.

In various fluid handling systems it is desirable and often required toinject metered amounts of one fluid into a stream of another fluid.Accordingly, various types of fluid handling systems have beendeveloped.

In many fluid mixing systems it is desirable that the mixing apparatusbe extremely simple, inexpensive and operable without the use ofelectrically operated valves or the like requiring an external powersource. For example, artifically and naturally flavored beverages arecommonly sold in concentrated syrup form which may be mixed with wateror carbonated water to prepare individual beverages. Because of theinstability of carbon dioxide saturated liquids, the beverages areconventionally prepared by mixing a measured amount of syrup with ameasured amount of carbonated water, thereby producing a carbonatedbeverage, immediately prior to serving. Conventionally, such dispensingapparatus employs a mixing and dispensing valve wherein the carbonatedwater and syrup are supplied under pressure to simultaneously operablevalves. Upon operation of the two valves concentrated syrup andcarbonated water are injected into a single stream and the mixed liquidsdispensed into a container. The ratio of syrup to water is determined bythe relative sizes of the valve openings and head pressures on theliquids. Since the valve openings are of fixed dimensions, variations inhead pressure on either liquid will cause variations in the mix ratio.Because of the instability of carbonated water, head pressure on aclosed container of carbonated water may vary widely during and betweenperiods of use. Accordingly, unless the pressure on the syrup reservoiris varied proportionately the ratio of syrup to carbonated water mayvary widely, resulting in dispensed beverages of inconsistent quality.

In accordance with the present invention a dispensing apparatus isprovided in which the head pressure on .[.the.]. concentrate.[.container.]. is directly proportional to the head pressure of thecarbonated water. Accordingly, as the pressure in the carbonated waterstream varies the head pressure on the syrup is subjected to aproportional change, thereby resulting in a drink mixture of uniform andconsistent quality. The apparatus includes a feedback line connectedbetween the dispensing nozzle and .[.an enclosed.]. .Iadd.a.Iaddend.concentrate .[.reservoir.]. .Iadd.metering chamber.Iaddend..The feed-back fluid is injected into the .[.reservoir.]. .Iadd.meteringchamber .Iaddend.but separated from the fluid therein by a diaphragm.Accordingly, pressure on the feedback system will vary with pressure ofthe carbon dioxide water stream. The pressure variations in the carbondioxide water stream are thereby transferred to the concentrate.[.reservoir.]. causing a proportionate change in the concentrate headpressure.

Through the use of the pressure feed-back system a proportional pressure.[.dipensing.]. .Iadd.dispensing .Iaddend.apparatus is provided whichemploys no electrically or manually operated valves and may becompletely operable without the use of any external power source. Theapparatus may be inexpensively fabricated from conventional materialsand advantageously automatically maintains a constant ratio ofconcentrate to water regardless of the pressure on the water stream. Asan added advantage water in the feed-back loop is allowed to drainthrough the mixing nozzle at the end of the mixing cycle, therebyautomatically washing the mixing nozzle.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readilyunderstood when taken in connection with the appended claims andattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical representation of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of a multi-head dispensingunit employing the mixing and dispensing apparatus.

A diagrammatical representation of a beverage mixing and dispensingdevice employing the principles of the invention is illustrated inFIG. 1. While the illustration relates to apparatus for mixingconcentrated syrup with carbonated water to provide a carbonatedbeverage, it will be readily appreciated that the principles of theinvention may be applied to various other systems wherein one fluid isinjected into a stream of another fluid. The apparatus as shown in thepreferred embodiment is illustrated merely to demonstrate the principlesof the invention as applied to one conventional dispensing system.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the apparatus comprises a conventionaldispensing head 10 into which carbonated water and concentrated syrupare injected through separate inlet lines 11 and 12, respectively. Theflow of water through the dispenser is controlled by valve 13. Likewise,the flow of syrup is controlled by valve 14. As illustrated, valves 13and 14 are conventionally operated simultaneously by a single actuatinglever 115.

In the conventional dispensing apparatus water passes through valve 14into a downwardly projecting nozzle 16 centrally located in chamber 15.Annular chamber 15 has a downwardly extending opening which is partiallyobstructed by a diffuser plate 17 having apertures 18 passingtherethrough. Accordingly, water passing through line 11 and valve 13into annular chamber 15 is directed downwardly through diffuser 17 intoa mixing nozzle 19.

In the preferred embodiment the apertures are slanted inwardly andhorizontally so that the water passing therethrough forms a swirlingstream. The syrup is injected through line 12, valve 14 and inlet 16into the water stream each time the actuating lever 115 is actuated.

Inlet 16 is preferably centrally located so that the syrup is injectedinto the approximate center of the swirling water stream, therebyassuring complete mixing of syrup and water. The mixture then exitsthrough nozzle 19. If desired, nozzle 19 may be provided with holes 19awhich will allow fluid to escape from nozzle 19 if the lower end isaccidentally obstructed, thereby insuring that the syrup meteringapparatus will not be accidentally damaged by over pressurization.

With valves 13 and 14 closed, all fluid drains from inlet 16 and chamber15. However, when the lever 115 is actuated to open valves 13 and 14carbonated water flows through valve 13 into chamber 15. Then, dependingupon the size of apertures 18 in diffuser 17 and the pressure on thecarbonated water, the chamber 15 is filled with carbonated water. Thepressure on the water in chamber 15 is, of course, dependent upon thesize of apertures 18 and the pressure in line 11.

In accordance with the invention a by-pass outlet 20 communicating withby-pass line 21 is connected with chamber 15 through which fluid mayflow into by-pass line 21 whenever the pressure on the fluid in chamber15 exceeds atmospheric pressure.

Carbonated water is provided to inlet line 11 by any conventional sourceor from a carbonator as described in co-pending application Ser. No.215,925 filed Jan. 5, 1972 .Iadd.(now abandoned).Iaddend.. Concentratedsyrup is supplied from a reservoir 30.

The reservoir 30 is provided with a conventional filler cap 31 andfiltered air inlet 32. The air inlet is provided simply to maintain thepressure within the reservoir 30 at atmospheric and may be convenientlylocated in the filler cap 31 if desired. Reservoir 30 is provided withan exit aperture 33 at its lowest point communicating with a conduit 34which conducts fluid into a metering chamber 35. Conduit 34 is providedwith a check valve which allows syrup to drain under the force ofgravity from the reservoir 30 into metering chamber 35 but preventsfluid flow in the reverse direction. For this purpose a simple cagedfloating ball 36 may be provided which seats in the neck 37 of the inletaperture. Accordingly fluid will flow freely from reservoir 30 throughconduit 34 into metering chamber 35 but cannot flow in the reversedirection.

In the preferred embodiment the metering chamber 35 is an open-endedcylindrical chamber with outlet 39 near its closed end. The open end iscovered with a sealing plate 40. A flexible diaphragm 41 is positionedbetween the open end of chamber 35 and the sealing plate 40. Diaphragm41 may be a thin flexible plastic or elastic material such as rubberwhich may be easily distorted. .[.In.]. .Iadd.The diaphragm 41 is acollapsable membrane secured to the periphery of the metering chamber 35and in .Iaddend.the preferred embodiment diaphragm 41 is a thincollapsible cylinder which may be expanded with very little pressuredifferential thereacross. An inlet means 42 is provided in sealing cap40 providing fluid communication between by-pass line 21 and theinterior of chamber 35. It will thus be observed that as fluid flowsthrough by-pass line 21 into chamber 35, diaphragm 41 is distorted butmaintains physical separation between carbonated water injected into thechamber and the syrup in the chamber.

For operation a supply of carbonated water is connected to inlet 11 andbeverage concentrate placed in reservoir 30. The concentrate will drainthrough outlet 33 and .[.counduit.]. .Iadd.conduit .Iaddend.34 into themetering chamber 35 until metering chamber 35 is filled withconcentrate. Since diaphragm 41 is thin and collapsible, the syrup willcollapse the diaphragm 41 and completely fill the metering chamber 35.The concentrate will also fill the exit conduit 12.

Activation of lever 115 opens valves 13 and 14 simultaneously.Accordingly, carbonated water flows through valve 13 into chamber 15 andthrough by-pass line 21 into metering chamber 35. As carbonated waterflows through by-pass line 21 the diaphragm 41 is distorted to equalizethe pressure thereacross, while separating the syrup and water. As thepressure on the concentrate is increased ball 36 blocks the aperture 37and syrup is forced through exit 39, line 12 and into the outlet 16. Itwill thus be observed that as the pressure on the carbonated water inline 11 is increased, pressure in by-pass line 21 and on diaphragm isalso increased, thereby proportionally increasing the pressure on thesyrup. Accordingly, the ratio of water to syrup remains relativelyconstant regardless of the pressure on the carbonated water line 11.

When .[.valve.]. .Iadd.valves .Iaddend.13 and 14 are closed, stoppingthe flow of carbonated water and syrup through lines 11 and 12,respectively, the water drains from chamber 15, thus releasing thepressure in line 21 and on diaphragm 41. Accordingly, syrup concentrateflows from reservoir 30 into the metering chamber 35, refilling themetering chamber and forcing the water therein to return to chamber 15by way of by-pass line 21. The released water passing back throughchamber 15 washes the nozzle 19 after each operation.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the by-pass mechanismprovides means for varying the head pressure on the concentrate indirect relation to the pressure on the carbonated water. Accordingly,the ratio of syrup to water is relatively constant regardless of waterpressure. It will also be observed that the .[.mechanixm.]..Iadd.mechanism .Iaddend.advantageously avoids the use of anyelectrically operated valves or pumping mechanism and operatesautomatically with very few moving parts. Accordingly, the apparatus maybe inexpensively constructed to provide apparatus which dispensesconcentrated beverage mixes with a high degree of consistency anduniformity.

As noted above, the by-pass pressure will be dependent on the size andnumber of apertures in the diffuser 17. In conventional systems water isinjected into chamber 15 under about 50 psi pressure. It has been foundthat when the diffuser has about twelve apertures 18 of about 0.031 inchdiameter, the pressure in by-pass line 21 will be about 3 to 6 psi andwill vary with variations in water inlet pressure. To provide maximummixing, the apertures 18 should be slanted about 32° from vertical andtilted about 8°.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a modified apparatus utilizing the principlesof the invention is illustrated. The modified apparatus of FIG. 2comprises a dispensing head 10 as described hereinabove with referenceto FIG. 1. The mixing head 10 is provided with a by-pass line 21communicating with chamber 15 as described hereinabove.

The system illustrated in FIG. 2, however, includes a plurality ofindividual reservoirs 133, 233 and 333 and metering .[.chamber.]..Iadd.chambers .Iaddend.135, 235 and 335 as described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 1. By-pass fluid flowing through line 21 isselectively directed to one of the metering .[.chanbers.]..Iadd.chambers .Iaddend.135, 235 or 335 by means of a selector.Iadd.switch .Iaddend.valve 50 which may be manually or automaticallyoperated.

.[.Concentrate.]. .Iadd.Concentrates .Iaddend.of different flavors.[.is.]. .Iadd.are .Iaddend.placed in each reservoir 133, 233 and 333and the outlet lines 112, 212 and 312 from each metering chamber,respectively, are in fluid communication with a manifold 51 which inturn communicates with the concentrate inlet 12. Outlet lines 112, 212and 312 may be provided with .[.a.]. check valves 112a, 212a and 312a toprevent intermixing of concentrate .Iadd.and which permit fluid to flowfrom the metering chambers 135, 235 and 335 to the check valves 112a,212a and 312a only when the pressure in a metering chamber is greaterthan atmospheric, .Iaddend.or with a selector .Iadd.switch.Iaddend.valve which operates in conjunction with .Iadd.and includesmeans for simultaneous activation with .Iaddend.selector switch valve 50to allow fluid to flow from the selected outlet only.

It will be observed that the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 operates inessentially the same manner as apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. However,the operation of selector valve 50 permits the alternate selection ofdifferent flavors of concentrates to be mixed with the carbonated water.

While the invention has been described with particular reference toapparatus for mixing concentrated syrups with carbonated water, it willbe readily understood that the principles may be readily applied toother fluids. For example, concentrated natural juices may be mixed withwater in the same manner. Likewise, other arrangements may be employedutilizing the principles disclosed to provide multi-head dispensers andthe like.

It is to be understood that although the invention has been describedwith particular reference to specific embodiments thereof, the forms ofthe invention shown and described in detail are to be taken as preferredembodiments of same, and that various changes and modifications may beresorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

I claim: .[.1. Apparatus for mixing fluids comprising swirling flow ofliquid passing therethrough..]. .[.7. Apparatus for selectively mixingfluids comprisinga. first valve means for injecting a first fluid into achamber adapted for directing said fluid in a downwardly directed streamb. second valve means for injecting another fluid into said stream c. aplurality of reservoirs for other fluids, d. a plurality of meteringchambers, one metering chamber being in fluid communication with one ofsaid reservoirs, e. means permitting fluid flow from each reservoir intothe metering chamber in fluid communication therewith and preventingfluid flow from said metering chambers to said reservoirs, f. by-passmeans and switch valve means operative to selectively conduct said firstfluid from said chamber to any of said metering chambers, g. diaphragmmeans for separating said first fluid and other fluid in said meteringchamber, and h. means for conducting fluid from said metering chambersto said second valve means..]. .[.8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7wherein said means for conducting fluid from said metering chambersincludes a conduit from each of said metering chambers to a secondswitch valve means operative to selectively switch any one of saidconduits into fluid communication with said second valve means..]. .[.9.Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for simultaneouslyactivating said switch valve means and said second switch valvemeans..]. .[.10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means forconducting fluid from said metering chambers to said second valve meanscomprises a conduit from each metering chamber to said second valvemeans, each conduit terminating at a check valve which permits fluid toflow from said metering chamber to said check valve only when thepressure in said metering chamber is greater than atmospheric..]. .[.11.The method of mixing fluids comprising the steps of a. injecting a firstfluid into a first chamber having apertures therein for directing saidfluid into a downwardly directed stream, b. injecting a second fluidinto said downwardly directed stream from a second chamber, d. divertingfluid from said first chamber to said second chamber, d. separating saidfirst fluid and said second fluid by a flexible diaphragm, whereby saidfirst fluid diverted to said second chamber exerts pressure on saidsecond fluid in said second chamber..]. .Iadd.
 12. A beverage mixing anddispensing apparatus comprising:(a) a dispensing head for mixing ofwater and beverage concentrate; (b) a water line having one end forbeing connected to a supply of pressurized water, a normally closeddispensing valve selectively actuatable for control of flow of waterthrough the line, and a water chamber downstream of the valve and havinga partially obstructed outlet opening for developing a bypass pressurein the chamber during flow of water therethrough, the opening being influid communication downwardly through the dispensing head to ambient;(c) a non-pressurizable reservoir for containing a supply of beverageconcentrate; (d) a normally non-pressurized metering chamber in fluidcommunication with the reservoir, said metering chamber being lower thanthe reservoir and fillable from the reservoir by the force of gravityupon concentrate in the reservoir; (e) an automatic check valve betweenthe reservoir and the metering chamber for allowing concentrate flowfrom the reservoir to the metering chamber under the force of gravityand for preventing concentrate flow from the metering chamber to thereservoir; (f) a concentrate line connecting the metering chamber to thedispensing head, there being a valve in the concentrate line forcontrolling flow of concentrate therethrough; (g) a bypass lineconnecting the water chamber to the metering chamber, for bypassingwater from the water chamber to the metering chamber only under thebypass pressure formed by the flow of water through the partiallyobstructed opening and for intermittently pressurizing the meteringchamber with the bypass pressure concurrently with and only upon openingof said dispensing valve; and (h) a thin collapsible and expandablecylindrical diaphragm of thin, elastic and easily distortable rubber,said diaphragm being positioned in the metering chamber for physicallyseparating concentrate and bypassed water, and being(1) elasticallydistortably expandable under the bypass pressure and upon flow ofbypassed water flowing into the metering chamber for pressurizing theconcentrate in the mixing chamber and forcing concentrate through theconcentrate line to the dispensing head, and being (2) collapsiblewithin the metering chamber and under the pressure of flow ofconcentrate under the force of gravity into the metering chamber, saidmetering chamber being completely fillable with concentrate upon suchcollapse of said diaphragm and without pressurization of thereservoir..Iaddend.